Wonderful day for Birr as new Gaelscoil is officially opened

IT was a wonderful and uplifting day for Birr as the new Gaelscoil, Gaelscoil na Laochra Biorra, was officially opened last week.
A large attendance turned out to celebrate what had been a long journey for everyone involved, entailing a lot of hard work and dedication over many years.
Everyone agreed that the new school is a beautiful and fabulous facility which is a very special and cherished addition in the life of Birr and the wider region.
A number of speakers gave short speeches and the students entertained us with very enjoyable music, song and dance, directed by their teachers Niamh, Maeve and Alex.
The Principal Niamh Uí Chlérigh welcomed everyone. “Is ócáid fíor-spesialta é, a chéiliúrann sprioc tábhachtach atá bainte amach againn san aistear oideachais Ghaelach seo - Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we continue to nurture education and cultural heritage for generations to come. Ní hamháin ballaí agus seomraí ranga atá spás seo ach timpeallacht ina bhfásfaidh, ina mbláthóidh agus ina gcuirfidh intinn óg spiorad Gaelscoil na Laochra i láthair – This space represents not just walls and classrooms but an environment where young minds will grow, flourish, and embody the spirit of Gaelscoil na Laochra.”
Stella O'Malley, one of the co-founders of the school, did an excellent job as MC, skilfully introducing each speaker.
Caoimhín Ó hEadhra, Ard-Rúnaí, An Foras Patrúnachta, said everyone involved should be very proud of what they have achieved. He said An Foras Patrúnachta is connected with 80 schools and “this is one of the nicest schools I've seen. Others have taken note and are thinking of doing something similar for their planned Gaelscoils.”
He pointed out that all schools are special but he thinks Gaelscoils are especially so, because of their strong link with our country's heritage and culture. He added that being bi-lingual, at ease in Irish as well as English, can be very advantageous in one's adult life. It also creates open-minded people, open to other cultures and ways of thinking. He praised those who started the project all the way back in 2010, Stella O'Malley, John Carroll, Rosalind Fanning and Denis Kelly. “It was a great vision, but a lot of work and a long road was to follow.”
Niamh Uí Chléirigh thanked the TDs, Councillors, Pippa Hackett, St Brendan's National School, LOETB, the architects of the school (Axis, Tullamore), the building contractors (Vision Contracting Cork), the parents, and An Foras Patrúnachta. She said Axis had designed an “exemplar building” and Vision had been very professional and courteous throughout a sometimes challenging building process.
John Carroll, the former Independent County Councillor, said he was very happy to be present for this special day in the life of the local community. “Ba mhaith liom céad mile fáilte a gábhail do gach uile dhuine atá i láthair inniu ach go háraithe gach dhuine a thug cabhair dúinn sa feachtas chun Gaelscoil a fháil i mBiorra. Seo é do Lá.”
He wished a big welcome to Jarlath Burns, the President of the GAA, pointing out that he has a huge regard for Burns because of “an obair atá tu ag déanamh chun ar cluiche, ar cultúir agus ar teanga a chuir i chun cinn agus tá áthas orainn gur thóg tú an t-am chun teacht inniu, mar tá fhios againn cé go gnóthach atá tu. Míle buíochas. You are a fantastic Ambassador not just for the GAA but our language and culture which I know are also intrinsic to the GAA.”John said this was a historic day in the life of the people of Birr and in the town's educational life. “Is é an céad scoil sa paróiste ó bhunú an Stáit go bhfuil an teagasc trí meán gaeilge. Is é an chéad scoil illchreidmheach (multi-denominational) riamh sa ceantar. Agus an céad scoil nach bhfuil faoi phátrúnacht na n-eaglaisí ó bhunú an Stáit. Bhféidir go bhfuil sé oiriúnach anois fáilte a gabhail do ionadaithe ó ar bpatrún An Foras Phatrunacha. Caoimhín, Siobhan, agus Cormac, mar a dúirt Niamh chéanna, táimid buíoch don cabhair a thug sibh dúinn agus ag tabhairt dúinn gach uile lá.“Nuair a thanaig Stella, Rosalind, Donncha Ó Ceallaigh agus mé féin le chéile i 2010 le smaoineamh faoi slí chun forbairt ar theanga agus bhféidir gaelscoil a bhunú sa ceantair; agus tamall gairid in a ndiaidh sin cruinniú in éineacht le Antoinette Fahy, Maire Ní Cofaigh, Brian Ó Cearuil, agus Éilís Ní hAritgan chun comhlacht Biorra le Gaeilge a bhunú, - ba deachair a creid go mbeadh lá mar seo againn - Gaelscoil i foirgnimh mar seo - agus Naoínra le daichead páistí - agus Ciorcoil Comhrá láidir - Gaeilge ag dul ó neart go neart. I am very conscious we received so much support from so many quarters on the journey to this day, so many need to be thanked. We have mentioned An Foras, also Gaelscoillena Teo, so helpful in the initial days. But most important are the parents and children who have supported this school, some since its foundation and indeed supported the campaign to get a Gaelscoil. I salute each and everyone of you - and you pupils - you are the future. Táimid ag brat oraibh an Gaeilge a chuir chun cinn.
“I want to thank all who have served on the Board of Management since 2015. You are vital for the good governance of the school. You have been generous with your time and often going above and beyond what could be expected.
“I'm not sure how to adequately thank the next group. Na príomhoide, múinteoirí, cúntóirí, ar Rúnaí, na glantóirí, all who have worked so diligently to create the wonderful centre of education that is Gaelscoil na Laochra.“I want to recognise the co-operation and support of our local schools not least St. Brendan's boys primary school with whom we have shared great days on the GAA field and of course our friends in the adjoining gaelscoilleana Sli Dhala, Scoil Eiscear Riada. Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan.“A word of appreciation to all public representatives past and present who engaged with us in our campaigning, Ministers, TDs, Cllrs. We were persistent but with your support a new dawn for the Irish education in Birr is the result - mile buíochas.
“It would be remiss not to thank the Press. We had and have a wonderful relationship with the media and if I may single out the Midland Tribune who were just excellent in helping us engage with the Community and keeping them abreast of the ups and downs, the good stories and the false dawns.
“Thank you to those who identified this State owned site to move our needs forward. Niamh has recognised your magnificent design, bright, spacious, colourful with all its modern technology. I endorse all of her words. Go raibh mile maith agaibh.
“Like Niamh I want to thank Dan, Liam and team of Lidan Designs. I hope the experience for you in delivering this 21st century building was as enjoyable as it was for us. Your professionalism was what we will remember of your firm.
“A special word of gratitude to LOETB who had the unenviable task of administration, appointing the design team, contractors, civil and electrical engineers, liaising with them and the Department and ourselves and handling the finance. Míle buíochas dóibh. Joe, Marie, Aiden and Pam and all your team.
"I am loathe to stray from the positive but I have to point out that unfortunately we are awaiting our Sports Hall/General purpose room which was and is part of the design that had approval and planning.“As part of the planning conditions a section of the new link road had to be built from the Budget allocated for the school and hence our School hall got postponed for construction in 2023, 2024, and 2025. What about 2026? Today I ask those who have influence to press for its delivery. We owe it to our pupils, particularly our special class, for recreational space in inclement weather and for school activities, and it would complete this project to the very high standard that was envisaged by the Department and design team.
“Speaking of that new link road now under construction perhaps it’s timely to raise the question of a name? Who thinks Bóthair na Laochra would be fitting? It would be our first Irish named road in the town. Timely to have our first Irish titled road. It could be dedicated to the sporting, cultural, entrepreneurial giants of Birr, the Laochra who have contributed to the development of our town. This school is the prominent Public building on the link road. The school via the Department of Education has delivered a section of the road. I think we have to ensure that by default the Northern Distributor Road is not referred to after the large commercial building on the road.”
Jarlath Burns said he was “extremely honoured” to be present. “As someone involved in the education profession for 34 years I am very familiar with the challenges, difficulties and positives of the profession. Laochra is a very appropriate name because there have been lots of heroes in the founding of this school. You had the people, you had the vision, and you gathered in the finance. Driven powerfully by your cause you went the extra mile, and you created this fine building on a greenfield site; you created the first Irish schools in Birr, the Naíonra and the Gaelscoil. To create something where nothing previously existed is one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life.”
The GAA President pointed out that sadly there are quite a few people in the teaching profession who don't really believe in what they are doing. Thankfully the teachers in Gaelscoil na Laochra completely believe in what they are doing.
The ribbon was then cut and the plaque unveiled.